Brad Paisley

A scholarship to Belmont University brought the West Virginia-born Brad Paisley to Nashville in the early 1990s. By that point, he was a seasoned picker and songwriter, having played all across his home state with a group of adult friends. Not long after signing with Arista Nashville, Paisley scored his first No. 1 with ‘He Didn’t Have to Be,’ but it was ‘I’m Gonna Miss Her’ that really broke the artist three years later. The song also led to his introduction to wife Kimberly Williams, whom he’d marry in 2003. The ‘Mud on the Tires’ and ‘Time Well Wasted’ albums are essential pickups from the '00s. Each helped the now-star earn several industry awards and become a major venue headliner. In 2008, Paisley co-hosted the CMA Awards with Carrie Underwood for the first time.

Birthday: October 28, 1972

Top Songs: ‘Whiskey Lullaby,’ ‘Alcohol,’ ‘She’s Everything’

Fun Fact: In his book ‘Diary of a Player,’ Paisley credits his grandfather, Jarvis, with starting his music career.

It was clear artists and fans inside the Bridgestone Arena for Wednesday night's CMA Awards felt a special unity that those watching at home weren't always a part of. Some of the best moments simply didn't translate.